HOW do you move forward with a writer's circle at a time of dwindling public interest in cultural and educational activities? This was the overriding question considered by Airedale Writers' Circle members at their meeting on February 10 at Sight Airedale.

Chairman Peter Morrison began by highlighting the principal points of a discussion paper he had circulated to all members at the beginning of January.

Member numbers have been in decline for some time – a problem seemingly commonplace with similar clubs and societies across the country.

Young people today join in sports or social activities, but tend not to belong to book clubs or writers' groups – which are seen as “old hat”.

Others tend to rely on the Internet rather than books. The problem is highlighted, across the country, by the wholesale decline in independent booksellers, while browsing in bookshops seems to have become a thing of the past. Writers have more on-line connections with other writers and don’t need to meet.

Because of this, the age profile of members has long tended to be on the high side, and inevitably the number of older members has started to fall away over the years.

Several members of the circle's committee are not seeking re-election because of work and other commitments and there is a clear need for “fresh blood” to take over.

The Circle has for many years run a programme of evenings with guest speakers as well as evenings where members' latest efforts can be reviewed and critiqued in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Finding suitable speakers – and at a price that won't break the bank – has never been easy.

The circle has also run an Adult Writing Competition each autumn as well as a Children's Writing Competition each spring, targeted at schools in the Airedale area.

Members present were clearly of the view that the circle should continue. It serves both an educational and cultural purpose, and the Children's Competition in particular has always been highly regarded. The problem remains – how can this be done? Some members thought that circle evenings might be a little more informal, others thought that more practical support to writers, both embryonic and existing, might be welcome.

Given the smaller member numbers, it's quite possible that certain events may be held in members' homes – a move seen as more conducive to a social atmosphere.

Following discussion, members decided that the April meeting of the circle should be thrown open to anyone in the Airedale area who is either interested in writing – or already writing in any shape or form: articles, novels, short stories, or poetry.

People will have the opportunity to explain what they are looking for, the kind of support they'd like to receive, and what mix of speakers, workshops, selected readings and critiques they'd like.

The April meeting of the Airedale Writer's Circle will be held on Tuesday April 14 at 7.30pm at the offices of Sight Airedale, which is behind Keighley Library.

Contact Peter Morrison at p634morrison@btinternet.com for further information.